About Us
Our Services & Support
We support, advocate for, and champion businesses in Gallia County by helping existing companies expand and meet the demands of a rapidly-evolving world, recruiting new companies to the County, and encouraging entrepreneurship. The success of your business is our business.
We’re always ready to find services and provide services specific to your company’s needs.
How We Can Help
- Explore available financial incentives for your project including grants, tax credits and incentives, low interest loans, and job training funds.
- Gather the research and information you need to make smart business decisions.
- Assist in real estate searches to locate the site or building that meets the needs of your company.
- Provide zoning information allowing for one stop planning services for your project
- Connect you to workforce development resources to assist your company in locating available, skilled workforce and job training programs.
- Connect you to entrepreneurial and business development networks and services for business and professional growth opportunities.
- Advocate for your business' priorities at the local, regional, and state level.
A Unique Partnership
Gallia County Economic Development operates under a unique partnership with the University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College, whereby the University’s Director of Economic Development represents Gallia County to existing and prospective companies in the County.
This arrangement enables takes advantage of the natural connection between employers and a major source of local talent, while also protecting confidentiality for prospective companies.
Our Leadership
Taylor Stepp, CEcD, is the Director of Economic Development and the Center for Entrepreneurship. In this role, Taylor leads economic development for Gallia County.
Prior to this role, Taylor was an executive at Ernst & Young LLP where he managed a portfolio of over $30 billion in capital investment and projects that created tens of thousands of new jobs. He advised his clients on site selection, credits & incentives, and investment matters. His clients ranged from Fortune 500 companies to large privately held firms who were pursuing major economic development projects.
Prior to Ernst & Young, Stepp served as Director of Projects at Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE), the regional economic development partner for JobsOhio, where he led economic development project management for 25-counties in Appalachia. In this role, he helped bring new companies to the region and helped existing companies add employment and invest capital.
Stepp’s experience also includes time in the Ohio Statehouse where he helped lead Ohio’s budget process and helped craft public policy. Additionally, he worked at JobsOhio where he helped coordinate economic development for the state. A two-time elected student body president at The Ohio State University, he later earned his MBA from the University of Southern Indiana.
In addition to his professional career, Stepp is a passionate entrepreneur and community leader, serving on the leadership board at Christ Church of Jackson.
